Job Summary
We are seeking an Associate Attorney for a direct hire opportunity in Clearwater, FL, focused on Estate Planning and Estate Administration. This role is ideal for an attorney with 1-2 years of legal experience who enjoys advising individuals and families, building long-term client relationships, and guiding clients through important personal and financial decisions.
The Associate Attorney will work in a professional legal services environment where client service, collaboration, practical legal guidance, and strong file management are highly valued. This is a strong opportunity for an attorney who wants to develop a well-rounded practice, receive exposure to meaningful client matters, and work with a supportive legal team committed to quality representation and responsive service.
Key Responsibilities
- Advise clients on estate planning strategies based on personal, family, financial, and succession planning needs.
- Draft, review, and update Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Health Care Directives, and related estate planning documents.
- Manage estate administration and probate matters from initial consultation through completion.
- Advise Executors, Personal Representatives, Trustees, and beneficiaries regarding legal responsibilities, rights, deadlines, and required documentation.
- Communicate with clients, beneficiaries, financial institutions, government agencies, accountants, tax advisors, and other professionals.
- Identify and resolve estate administration issues, including asset collection, valuation, distribution, creditor claims, liabilities, releases, and related correspondence.
Compensation and Benefits
- Salary range: $75,000 to $90,000 per year.
- Job type: Direct hire.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disabled / Protected Veterans
The Know Your Rights poster is available here:
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12.pdf
The pay transparency policy is available here:
https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/pdf/pay-transp_%20English_formattedESQA508c.pdf
For temporary assignments lasting 13 weeks or longer, AppleOne is pleased to offer major medical, dental, vision, 401k and any statutory sick pay where required.
We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact your staffing representative who will reach out to our HR team.
AppleOne participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law. Learn more about the E-Verify program.
https://e-verify.uscis.gov/web/media/resourcesContents/E-Verify_Participation_Poster_ES.pdf
We also consider for employment qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements, including, if applicable, the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Pursuant to applicable state and municipal Fair Chance Laws and Ordinances, we will consider for employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, including, if applicable, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. For Los Angeles, CA applicants: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
Required Qualifications and Skills
- Manage estate planning matters, including client consultations, document drafting, plan updates, probate avoidance strategies, and trust-related guidance.
- Handle estate administration files, including probate filings, court-related documents, beneficiary communications, asset distribution, creditor matters, and file deadlines.
- Provide practical legal advice to individuals, families, fiduciaries, and beneficiaries.
- Maintain organized files and ensure legal matters progress efficiently and professionally.
- 1-2 years of attorney experience, preferably with estate planning and estate administration exposure.
- Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
- Active license to practice law in Florida and membership in good standing with the Florida Bar.
- Experience drafting or reviewing estate planning documents, probate documents, legal correspondence, agreements, releases, and related legal documentation.
- Strong client service skills with the ability to build trusted, long-term professional relationships.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with sound legal judgment and attention to detail.
- Ability to work collaboratively with financial advisors, tax professionals, accountants, and other legal professionals.
- Strong organization, time management, and follow-through skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with residential or commercial real estate transactions, purchase and sale matters, refinancing, mortgage matters, or real estate agreements.
- Exposure to family law matters such as separation, divorce, parenting, support issues, separation agreements, or independent legal advice.
- Corporate law experience, including incorporations, reorganizations, shareholder agreements, corporate transactions, business succession planning, or general corporate advisory work.
- Litigation experience, including civil litigation, estate and trust disputes, commercial disputes, court appearances, or advocacy.